Mold Remediation in Lewisville, TX

According to the city of Highland Village, the boy was found nearly two hours after he went missing.

HIGHLAND VILLAGE, Texas — A 14-year-old Duncanville boy drowned in Lewisville Lake at Copperas Branch Park on Saturday afternoon.

The child was later identified as 14-year-old Sebastian Delgado Hernandez, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner.

The teen's family says they are heartbroken. They say the Sunset High freshman was swimming with family at Copperas Branch Park Saturday afternoon when he went under the water, and didn’t come up.

About two hours later rescuers recovered his body.

He’s the third suspected drowning victim at Lake Lewisville in the past week, and the fourth in the month of September.

“We actually had a guy whose sister had a birthday party today and she saw the news this morning about the drowning that happened yesterday,” said Dallas Jet Ski owner Lamar Woodham. “They canceled the reservation because of it.”

Woodham says they’ve been operating out of Lake Lewisville since 2013 and they see close calls all the time.

“We did three rescues today,” Woodham said. “The one that he just did a gentleman jumping off the dock with no life jacket doesn't have any business in the water.”

He and his staff say people getting in the water who can’t swim is a big problem, and although free life jacket stations are positioned all around the lake, they’re not always utilized.

“You can take a look around and like 90% of these people do not have life jackets on,” said Dallas Jet Ski boat captain Josie Way.

Mark Prahl is a camp host at Lewisville Lake Park and says he’s always warning of the dangers.

“When the lake is low, you know, because this is all man made that when it gets so low that you go out so far, then it drops,” he said.

Families, like the Norris’, say they heard about the drownings but still came to the lake Sunday.

“I think the first thing comes in my head, it's like, how did it happen and how can we prevent it?” said Dakota Norris.

They say hearts go out to all four of this month’s victims. And they hope people will see the dangers and take extra precautions like they did.

The Medical Examiner's office is investigating the incident, according to the city.

Multiple North Texas school districts have recently considered school closures amid issues like budget constraints and declining enrollment.

Credit: WFAA

Lewisville ISD

LEWISVILLE, Texas — Another North Texas school district is considering closing schools due to budget constraints and declining enrollment.

Lewisville ISD is considering potentially closing five elementary schools: B.B. Owen Elementary, Creekside Elementary, Garden Ridge Elementary, Highland Village Elementary and Polser STEM Academy.

On Monday, the Lewisville ISD board of trustees reviewed the recommendations of the district’s community efficiency committee.

“I wish that we had the relief that we needed from the legislature, but as you mentioned, that’s not the only challenge. This decline in enrollment and these empty seats – 20% to over 30% -- is a lot. It’s a hard set of facts that we have to continue to work with,” said Lewisville ISD trustee Dr. Staci Barker.

District officials are also considering boundary adjustments for another eight schools -- Bluebonnet Elementary, Degan Elementary, Memorial STEM Academy Elementary, Old Settlers Elementary, Rockbrook Elementary, Creek Valley Middle School, Downing Middle School and Lakeview Middle School.

District officials say they plan to hold community listening sessions to get feedback before a final decision is made. The board expects a final decision on the issue in December. Any changes would take effect in the 2025-2026 school year.

“We will emerge from this as a stronger and a more united LISD,” said Lewisville ISD board president Jenny Proznik.

Some parents called for the districts to keep the schools open during public comment.

“Tonight I should be volunteering as a baseball coach for my two HVE Vikings. Instead, I’m here hoping my words will save their school and, frankly, all five elementary schools that were on that board from retirement,” said Lewisville ISD parent Ryan Ritter.

“Closing Polser affects 10% of the entire LISD STEM program. That’s a program that took years in the making, and Polser has established national recognition. I mean, their resume of accolades is impressive,” another parent, Amber Clark, added.

Other school districts in North Texas, including Coppell ISD and Plano ISD, have also recently discussed potential school closures.

Voters in Lewisville and Coppell can cast their ballot for the Nov. 5 election during the early voting period from Oct. 21-Nov. 1.

What you need to know

Denton County residents can cast their votes at one of 54 early voting locations countywide, including 5 locations in Lewisville. For a full list of early voting locations, visit www.votedenton.gov/early-voting-information.

Polling location operating hours vary, according to the Denton County Election Office’s website, and are as follows:

Dallas County residents can cast their votes at one of 71 early voting locations countywide, including one location in Coppell. For a full list of early voting locations, as well as updates on wait times at each location, visit www.dallascountyvotes.org/vote-centers.

Polling location operating hours vary, according to the Dallas County Election Office’s website, and are as follows:

On the ballot

Ballots will feature several federal and state races, as well as county races, which include:

Residents of Coppell ISD’s coverage area will also consider one proposition regarding a voter-approval tax ratification election.

A full sample ballot can be found by visiting www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide and selecting your community.

Looking ahead

Election Day is set for Nov. 5 and voting locations will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., according to the Texas Secretary of State’s website. Registered voters can cast their ballot at any location countywide on Election Day.

Editor

Shelbie joined Community Impact in August 2022 and has been the editor of the McKinney edition since July 2023. Prior to CI, Shelbie served as a business news fellow for the Dallas Morning News. She graduated with a degree in journalism from Southern Methodist University in May 2022. When she’s not writing, she enjoys photography and live music.

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